Bridging the research-implementation gap in IUCN Red List assessments

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is central in biodiversity conservation, but insufficient resources hamper its long-term growth, updating, and consistency. Models or automated calculations can alleviate those challenges by providing standardised estimates required for assessments, or prioritising species for (re-)assessments. However, while numerous scientific papers have proposed such methods, few have been integrated into assessment practice, highlighting a critical research-implementation gap. We believe this gap can be bridged by fostering communication and collaboration between academic researchers and Red List practitioners, and by developing and maintaining user-friendly platforms to automate application of the methods. We propose that developing methods better encompassing Red List criteria, systems, and drivers is the next priority to support the Red List.

Automated summary

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species plays a central role in biodiversity conservation, but insufficient resources hinder its long-term growth. While models and automated calculations have been proposed, their integration into assessment practice is limited, showing a critical research-implementation gap. Bridging this gap can be achieved by fostering communication between academic researchers and Red List practitioners and developing user-friendly platforms for automated application of these methods. The development of methods that better encompass Red List criteria, systems, and drivers is the next priority for supporting the Red List.